Former UFC fighter Aspen Ladd signs four-fight deal with BKB bare-knuckle promotion

Aspen Ladd has signed a four-fight deal with bare-knuckle boxing promotion BKB, the company confirmed in a press release, with her debut fight for the organisation to be announced at a later date.

The former UFC bantamweight’s seven-fight run in the UFC ended on a difficult note — back-to-back losses to Raquel Pennington and Norma Dumont, compounded by a weight miss ahead of a scheduled bout with Sara McMann in September 2022. She subsequently joined the PFL, going 3-2 before making her bare-knuckle debut at BKFC 84 this past November, where she earned a first-round knockout win.

“I’m excited for this next chapter and the opportunity to compete in BKB,” Ladd said in the release. “Bare knuckle boxing brings out a different level of intensity and authenticity, and that’s something that really appeals to me as a fighter. I can’t wait to get started and show BKB fans what I can do inside the Trigon.”

The four-fight figure was confirmed to MMA Fighting by a person with knowledge of the promotion’s plans. BKB has been actively recruiting fighters with UFC pedigree, and Ladd’s signing continues that trend.

With a first-round knockout already on her bare-knuckle record, Ladd arrives at BKB with momentum, even if the specific opponent and date for her promotional debut remain to be confirmed.